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The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) is an American symphony orchestra based in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1880 by Joseph Otten as the St. Louis Choral Society, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is the second-oldest professional symphony orchestra in the United States, preceded only by the New York Philharmonic.[dubious – discuss] Its principal concert venue is Powell Hall, located in midtown St. Louis.

Key Information

History

[edit]

The St. Louis Choral Society performed in the auditorium of the St. Louis Mercantile Library[1] at Locust and Broadway in Downtown St. Louis. During the 1881/82 season the 80-member chorus was joined by an orchestra of 31 members. A disbanded Musical Union joined the group. In 1893, the St. Louis Choral-Symphony was formally incorporated. It remained largely a choral organization through its performances at the 1904 World's Fair under Alfred Ernst when it expanded to a 200-member chorus and an orchestra of 55. Under Max Zach's tenure (1907 to 1921), it changed its name to the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra.

Before moving to its current home in Powell Hall, the SLSO performed for many years at the Kiel Opera House. The orchestra has given concerts regularly at Carnegie Hall and has made overseas tours to Europe and to Japan. The St. Louis Symphony has recorded for the Columbia, RCA Victor, Red Seal, Telarc, Vox/Turnabout, Angel EMI, and Nonesuch labels. It has also issued CD recordings on its own label, Arch Media, and has received seven Grammy Awards and 58 nominations. For Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, the St. Louis Symphony has been the resident orchestra since 1978, divided into two ensembles, each performing two of the operas in the season. Also associated with the orchestra is the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, which was founded in 1977. Its first director was Thomas Peck.

The national prestige of the St. Louis Symphony grew most prominently during the music directorship of Leonard Slatkin, from 1979 to 1996. During his tenure, the orchestra made many recordings for the EMI and RCA Victor labels, and toured to Europe and the Far East, as well as concerts at Carnegie Hall. However, this growth in prestige was not matched by stabilization of long-term finances. In 2000, the SLSO's endowment stood at US$28 million.[2] In 2000, the executive director and President of the SLSO at the time, Don Roth, had secured a US$40 million challenge grant from the Taylor family (owners of privately held Enterprise Rent-A-Car) to help the organization's money situation.[3] However, in that same year, he revealed the situation of severe financial problems with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra finances, which nearly led to the orchestra's bankruptcy in 2001. Roth resigned his position in July 2001, and was succeeded by Randy Adams, a former St. Louis bank executive. Adams embarked on extensive fund-raising efforts in the following years, seeking to enlarge the SLSO's endowment in the process. As part of the budget cuts and cost-saving measures, the musicians agreed to salary cuts over that time, and also a reduction of their 52-week contract to 42 weeks.

Following the departure of Hans Vonk as music director after the 2001-2002 season, Itzhak Perlman served as music adviser to the orchestra from 2002 to 2004. In December 2003, the symphony's board announced David Robertson as the next music director of the orchestra, effective with the 2005/06 season.

In January 2005, a labor dispute led to a cancellation of concerts for two months.[4][5][6] Before the musicians could vote on the terms of the new contract, management changed the locks to Powell Hall without notifying them. Auditions were cancelled, and the health insurance for musicians was cancelled without notice as well. Whilst the musicians considered themselves to be 'locked out', management considered this action to be an illegal strike, since the players' attorney, Leonard Leibowitz, had advised them against filing certain documents as required by law. The National Labor Relations Board agreed with management. After a two-month period of negotiations, the musicians agreed to a ten-week reduction from a 52-week season, and 30% wage reductions. Upon returning to the stage, the musicians enacted a "Vote of No Confidence" on Executive Director Randy Adams. Both parties then reached a mutual agreement under which they agreed to refer to the eight-week period as a "Work Stoppage" and the "Vote of No Confidence" was rescinded.[7] In March 2005, the musicians and Adams agreed to a new contract.[8][9][10]

From 2005–2018, the SLSO music director was David Robertson. During Robertson's tenure, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra has partnered with St. Louis Public Radio to broadcast its subscription concerts live every Saturday night during its regular season, since the fall of 2010, after the sale of the St. Louis classical radio station KFUO. Robertson conducted the orchestra's first-ever appearance at The Proms in September 2012.[11] In 2013, Robertson's contract was extended through the 2015/16 season, and a further contract extension, announced in March 2014, was through the 2017/18 season.[12] Robertson's tenure as SLSO music director concluded at the end of the 2017/2018 season.

Adams stood-down as the orchestra's president and executive director in June 2007.[13][14][15] Fred Bronstein assumed the posts in March 2008.[16] Faced with declining ticket sales and deficits, Bronstein immediately launched an aggressive new revenue plan with audience development at the core of its actions. Bronstein also took steps to broaden and diversify the symphony's programming through popularly oriented programming series such as "Live at Powell Hall". Since 2008, because of new programming and marketing strategies, ticket revenues have grown 39% in the 2012 fiscal year, the highest revenues in over a decade, while seats sold grew by 16% and more than 31,000 new people were added to the customer base, reversing five years of decline. Because of successful audience development initiatives at the core of the plan as well as other revenue progress and strong management of expenses, the structural deficit (whose gaps are funded by additional contributions) has declined 18% from $3.4M in 2007 to $2.8M in 2011, dipping as low as $2.62m in 2010.

Bronstein left the SLSO to head the Peabody Conservatory in the spring of 2014. In February 2015, the SLSO named Marie-Hélène Bernard, then-president of the Handel and Haydn Society as its new president and CEO, effective July 1, 2015.[17]

In 2003, Stéphane Denève first guest-conducted the orchestra. In June 2017, the orchestra named Denève as its next music director, effective with the 2019-2020 season, with an initial contract of three seasons. He held the title of Music Director Designate for the 2018-2019 season.[18] In March 2021, the orchestra announced the extension of Denève's contract as its music director through the 2025-2026 season.[19]

In March 2022, the orchestra announced plans for a renovation of Powell Hall, to begin in 2023.[20] During the scheduled renovation period, the orchestra has been performing concerts principally at the Touhill Performing Arts Center of the University of Missouri–St. Louis and also at the Stifel Theatre.[21] In September 2024, the orchestra announced its intention to name its renovated music complex as the Jack C. Taylor Music Center, with the concert hall to retain the name of Powell Hall.[22]

Awards

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In its 140-year history, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra has earned nine Grammy Awards out of 60 nominations from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Year Category Works Conductor Additional Nominees Result
1978 Best Classical Performance - Choral Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky Leonard Slatkin Thomas Peck, Chorus director Nominated
Best Engineered Recording - Classical Marc Aubort, Joanna Nickrenz
Best Classical Performance - Orchestra Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 1 Nominated
1979 Best Classical Performance - Orchestra Rachmaninoff: Symphony Nos. 2 & 3 Leonard Slatkin Nominated
Best Engineered Recording - Classical Marc Aubort, Joanna Nickrenz
Classical Producer of the Year Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 3 Marc Aubort, Joanna Nickrenz Nominated
Best Classical Performance - Choral Beethoven: "Choral Fantasy," "Elegiac Song," "Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage" Jerzy Semkow Thomas Peck, Chorus director Nominated
1980 Classical Producer of the Year Bizet: Carmen Suites 1 and 2; Grieg: Peer Gynt Suites 1 and 2 Leonard Slatkin Robert Woods Won
1981 Best Classical Performance - Choral Prokofiev: Music from the films, Ivan the Terrible Leonard Slatkin Thomas Peck, Chorus director Nominated
1982 Best Classical Performance - Orchestra Debussy: La Mer, Prelude a l'apres midi d'un Faune, Danses Sacre et Profane Leonard Slatkin Nominated
Best Classical Album
Classical Producer of the Year Robert Woods Won
Best Classical Performance - Choral Rachmaninoff: The Bells, "Three Russian Songs" Thomas Peck, Chorus director Nominated
1983 Best Classical Orchestral Recording Del Tredici: In Memory of a Summer Day (Child Alice, Part 1) Leonard Slatkin Nominated
Best Engineered Recording - Classical Marc Aubort
Classical Producer of the Year Marc Aubort, Joanna Nickrenz Won
1984 Best Classical Orchestral Recording Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5 Leonard Slatkin Won
Best Engineered Recording - Classical Paul Goodman
Best Classical Album Nominated
Classical Producer of the Year Jay David Saks
1985 Best Classical Album Prokofiev: Cinderella Suite Leonard Slatkin Nominated
Best Classical Orchestral Recording
Best Engineered Recording - Classical Paul Goodman
Classical Producer of the Year Prokofiev: Cinderella Suite; Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker Jay David Saks Nominated
Best Engineered Recording - Classical Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker Paul Goodman, Thomas MacCluskey Nominated
1986 Best Classical Album Copland: Billy the Kid and Rodeo Leonard Slatkin Nominated
Best Classical Orchestral Recording
Best Engineered Recording - Classical Marc Aubort
Classical Producer of the Year Marc Aubort, Joanna Nickrenz
Classical Producer of the Year Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 Jay David Saks Nominated
1987 Best Classical Album Hanson: Symphony No. 2, "Romantic"; Barber: Violin Concerto Leonard Slatkin Nominated
Best Classical Orchestral Recording Hanson: Symphony No. 2, "Romantic"
Best Classical Performance - Instrumental Soloist with Orchestra Barber: Violin Concerto Elmar Oliveira, violin
Best Contemporary Composition Schwantner: A Sudden Rainbow Nominated
Classical Producer of the Year Brahms: Serenade No. 1; Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10 Jay David Saks Nominated
1988 Best Classical Orchestral Recording Copland: Appalachian Spring Leonard Slatkin Nominated
Classical Producer of the Year Joanna Nickrenz
Best Contemporary Composition Bolcom: Symphony No. 4 Joan Morris, mezzo-soprano Nominated
1989 Best Classical Performance - Instrumental Soloist with Orchestra Schuman: Violin Concerto; Bernstein: Serenade Leonard Slatkin Robert McDuffie, violin Nominated
Classical Producer of the Year Patti Laursen
1990 Best Classical Orchestral Recording Shostakovich: Symphony No. 8 Leonard Slatkin Nominated
Best Engineered Recording - Classical William Hoekstra
1991 Best Classical Album Barber: Symphony No. 1 and Piano Concerto Leonard Slatkin Nominated
Best Classical Performance - Instrumental Soloist with Orchestra John Browning, piano Won
Best Engineered Recording - Classical William Hoekstra Nominated
Best Orchestral Performance Copland: Symphony No. 3 Nominated
Best Classical Performance - Instrumental Soloist with Orchestra Bartok: Violin/Viola Concertos Pinchas Zuckerman, violin Nominated
1992 Best Classical Orchestral Recording Schuman: Symphony No. 10, New England Triptych, American Festival Overture, Variations on America (orch. Ives) Leonard Slatkin Nominated
1993 Best Orchestral Performance Ives: Symphony No. 3 Leoanrd Slatkin Nominated
Best Contemporary Composition Erb: Concerto for Brass and Orchestra Nominated
1994 Best Engineered Recording - Classical Bartok: The Miraculous Mandarin and Concerto for Orchestra Leonard Slatkin William Hoekstra Nominated
Best Engineered Recording - Classical Copland: Music for Films William Hoekstra Won
1995 Best Engineered Recording - Classical Anderson: The Typewriter: Leroy Anderson Favorites Leonard Slaktin William Hoekstra Nominated
Best Engineered Recording - Classical Orff: Carmina Burana William Hoekstra Nominated
1996 Best Classical Album Copland: Dance Symphony, Short Symphony, Organ Symphony Leonard Slatkin Nominated
Best Engineered Recording - Classical Lawrence Rock, Williams Hoekstra
Classical Producer of the Year Joanna Nickrenz Won
2015 Best Orchestral Performance Adams: City Noir and Saxophone Concerto David Robertson Tim McAllister, saxophone Won
Best Engineered Album - Classical Richard King Nominated
2016 Best Classical Instrumental Solo Adams: Scheherazade.2 David Robertson Leila Josefowicz, violin Nominated

St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra

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Leonard Slatkin established the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra in 1970. The orchestra's assistant conductor (known also in the past as resident conductor) also acts as music director of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra. Past St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Assistant Conductors have included Slatkin, Gerhardt Zimmermann, David Loebel, David Amado, Scott Parkman, Ward Stare, Steven Jarvi, and Gemma New.[23] In December 2020, the SLSO announced the appointment of Stephanie Childress as its next assistant conductor and music director of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, effective with the 2021-2022 season.[24] Childress concluded her tenure with the orchestra at the close of the 2022-2023 season.[25] In July 2024, the SLSO announced the appointment of Samuel Hollister as its next assistant conductor and music director of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, effective with the 2024-2025 season.[26]

Chorus ensembles

[edit]

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra houses two choral ensembles: the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and the IN UNISON Chorus. Founded in 1977 by music director Jerzy Semkow and its first director, Thomas Peck, the St. Louis Symphony Chorus is an orchestral chorus that performs in major concerts throughout each season, usually featured in choral symphonies. Peck served as director of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus until his death in 1994.[27] Amy Kaiser succeeded Peck as director of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, from 1995 to 2022.[28] In February 2024, Erin Freeman made her first appearance as guest chorus director with the SLSO and the St. Louis Symphony Chorus. In July 2024, the SLSO announced the appointment of Freeman as the next director of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, with immediate effect.[29]

The IN UNISON Chorus was established in 1994 by Robert Ray, and performs a variety of musical styles; it primarily focuses on the music of African-American and African cultures, notably gospel music, and partners with several churches in the St. Louis area. The IN UNISON Chorus is currently directed by Kevin McBeth, who is also Director of Music at Manchester United Methodist Church in suburban St. Louis. The ensemble celebrated its 25th anniversary during the 2018/2019 season.[30]

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra also features the Holiday Festival Chorus, consisting of high-school-aged singers from across the St. Louis region, performing at holiday concerts each season.

Music directors

[edit]

References

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St. Louis Symphony Orchestra

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The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) is the second-oldest professional symphony orchestra in the United States, founded in 1880 as the St. Louis Choral Society by composer and conductor Joseph Otten. Based in , , the orchestra has maintained a continuous presence for over 140 years, evolving from its choral origins to a full symphonic ensemble that performs a wide of classical, contemporary, and pops music. The SLSO performs primarily at Powell Symphony Hall, a venue originally built in 1925 as the St. Louis Theatre and renowned for its acoustics, which underwent a major renovation and expansion reopening in September 2025. Under music directors including (1979–1996), David Robertson (2005–2018), and current director Stéphane Denève (since 2019), the orchestra has built a reputation for artistic excellence and innovation. Notable achievements include nine Grammy Awards from 60 nominations, with wins for recordings such as John Adams's City Noir in 2015 and earlier works conducted by Slatkin, underscoring the SLSO's contributions to orchestral performance and recording. The orchestra also engages in extensive community outreach, education programs, and youth initiatives, including the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra founded in 1970, reinforcing its role as a cultural cornerstone in the Midwest.

History

Founding and Early Years (1880–1920)

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra originated with the founding of the St. Louis Choral Society in 1880 by Joseph Otten, a local who became its inaugural and conductor. Initially emphasizing choral works, the society began incorporating orchestral accompaniment for its performances starting in 1881, marking the ensemble's early evolution toward symphonic programming. These inaugural concerts occurred at Mercantile Library Hall in , reflecting the modest scale of operations in a city with growing cultural ambitions but limited institutional support for professional . Under Otten's leadership through 1894, the group expanded its subscription series to nine concerts per season, fostering audience engagement amid financial precarity typical of nascent American orchestras reliant on ticket sales and patronage. Budget shortfalls eventually forced a reduction to seven concerts, contributing to Otten's resignation and highlighting persistent challenges in securing stable funding without dedicated endowments. In 1890, the Choral Society merged with the rival St. Louis Musical Union, organized in 1881 by August Waldauer, and reorganized as the St. Louis Choral-Symphony Society to consolidate resources and emphasize both vocal and instrumental elements. Alfred Ernst assumed the conductorship from 1894 to 1907, doubling the season to 12 concerts and professionalizing the ensemble, which reached 55 musicians during the 1904 () to meet heightened demand from international visitors. Performances shifted to larger venues like the St. Louis Grand Exposition Hall at Olive and Thirteenth Streets, then the Odeon at Grand and Finney Avenues around the , accommodating growing crowds but exposing logistical strains from inadequate acoustics and transient facilities. In 1907, the society renamed itself the St. Louis Symphony Society under Max Zach, who conducted until his death in 1921 and implemented key reforms including salaried musicians for a 20-week season, dedicated rehearsals, and consistent payrolls to attract skilled players amid competition from theater pits and itinerant ensembles. These changes addressed chronic instability, such as irregular employment that deterred talent retention, though the orchestra remained vulnerable to economic fluctuations in a manufacturing hub like . By 1920, the ensemble had solidified its role as a regional cultural anchor, performing standard repertory from Beethoven to contemporary works while navigating the transition from amateur choral roots to professional symphonic status.

Interwar Period and Great Depression (1920–1940)

Following Max Zach's death in 1921, Swiss-born conductor Rudolph Ganz assumed the role of , serving until 1927. Ganz initiated the orchestra's first concerts for schoolchildren in 1921, establishing an educational outreach that continues today, and led extensive touring efforts to broaden the ensemble's reach. He programmed works by contemporary composers such as and , aiming to refresh the repertoire, though this drew criticism from conservative subscribers who petitioned for his removal over perceived deviations from traditional programming. The period from 1927 to 1931 saw a series of guest conductors stabilizing the orchestra amid leadership transitions, as no permanent director was appointed immediately after Ganz's resignation. In 1931, French conductor Vladimir Golschmann became music director, a position he held until 1958, marking the longest tenure in the orchestra's history. Golschmann infused performances with a distinctive French elegance, attracting premier soloists and maintaining a rigorous schedule of 18 orchestral concerts and 4 popular concerts per season. The imposed economic strains on American orchestras, including reduced subscriptions and sponsorships, yet the St. Louis Symphony persisted through Golschmann's leadership, relocating to the larger in 1934 to accommodate growing audiences. During , the ensemble began recording for RCA Victor's Red Seal label, capturing core classical works and contributing to its emerging national profile despite broader financial pressures on cultural institutions. These efforts underscored the orchestra's resilience, prioritizing artistic continuity over contraction.

Post-World War II Expansion (1940–1960)

Under the long-serving music director Vladimir Golschmann (1931–1958), the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra maintained operations through , including commercial recordings with RCA Victor as early as 1942, such as Milhaud's Suite Provençale. These efforts sustained the ensemble amid wartime challenges like musician shortages and travel restrictions, with performances continuing at , its venue since 1934. Golschmann's 27-year tenure, one of the longest for a major American orchestra, bridged the immediate postwar recovery, fostering stability through consistent programming of core classical repertoire. Postwar economic growth enabled expansion, as Golschmann attracted premier soloists and principal players, elevating the orchestra's performance quality and increasing its size to compete with leading U.S. ensembles. A key milestone came in 1950 with the orchestra's debut at , signaling national recognition and broader reach beyond regional tours. Recording activity intensified in the late 1940s and 1950s, yielding notable releases like Tchaikovsky's excerpts and works by Debussy and Ravel, which documented the ensemble's maturing sound and contributed to its artistic reputation. These developments reflected a postwar surge in cultural institutions, driven by rising and funding availability in mid-sized cities like . In 1955, Golschmann became Conductor Emeritus, fully retiring in 1958 amid the orchestra's strengthened position. Eduard van Remoortel succeeded him, serving from 1958 to 1962 and further enhancing overall quality by hosting high-profile guest conductors and artists, though his tenure faced internal board conflicts by 1961. This period solidified the orchestra's infrastructure for future growth, with sustained emphasis on repertoire expansion and professionalization into the early 1960s.

Transition to Powell Hall and Modernization (1960–2000)

Prior to the transition to Powell Hall, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra performed primarily at Kiel Auditorium, lacking a dedicated permanent venue suited to symphonic acoustics. In 1966, the orchestra acquired the former St. Louis Theatre building, originally constructed in 1925, through a $500,000 gift from Oscar Johnson, Jr. A $2 million renovation followed, funded in part by a $1 million trust from Helen Lamb Powell and a $2 million grant from the Ford Foundation, transforming the space into a 2,683-seat concert hall with acoustics designed by Cyril Harris. The renovated Powell Symphony Hall opened on January 24, 1968, marking the orchestra's first permanent home and coinciding with Walter Susskind's appointment as music director. Susskind, previously associated with the Toronto Symphony, expanded the ensemble's roster and elevated playing standards, returning to a standard repertoire while recording works such as Holst's The Planets and Smetana's Má Vlast. His tenure included community initiatives, such as a free memorial concert for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1968 and the initiation of annual free concerts at Forest Park's Art Hill. Jerzy Semkow succeeded Susskind in 1975, serving until 1979 and founding the St. Louis Symphony Chorus in the 1976–77 season to support choral-orchestral repertoire. Under Semkow, the orchestra maintained artistic momentum amid the Queeny Pops summer series. assumed the music directorship in 1979, leading for 17 years and significantly modernizing the ensemble through extensive recording projects—over 100 works, emphasizing American composers—and international tours to , , and . Slatkin's efforts garnered 60 Grammy nominations and nine wins, including the 1985 Best Classical Orchestral Recording for Prokofiev's Symphony No. 5; Time magazine ranked the orchestra second among U.S. ensembles in 1982. Hans Vonk became in 1996, focusing on core European and developing a rich, cohesive sound during his tenure through 2002. Live recordings from Powell Hall under Vonk received the Dutch Award, equivalent to a Grammy. The period also saw the 1994 founding of the Symphony IN UNISON Chorus, enhancing community outreach and diversity in programming. These developments solidified the orchestra's artistic infrastructure and national stature by 2000.

21st Century Developments (2000–present)

Hans Vonk concluded his tenure as in 2002, after which the orchestra operated under guest conductors until appointing David Robertson in 2005. Robertson's 13-year leadership emphasized contemporary works, educational outreach, and high-profile recordings, culminating in a 2015 Grammy Award for Best Orchestral Performance for ' City Noir. A in early 2005 led to an eight-week work stoppage and cancellation of subscription concerts, resolved by a new contract ratified in March. Stéphane Denève assumed the music directorship in September 2019, following his appointment in 2017 and a transitional period after Robertson's 2018 departure. Denève's tenure has included international tours, such as a 2023 European excursion across four countries with pianist , and efforts to integrate local culture into programming. The orchestra navigated the with adaptations to live performances and digital offerings, resuming full seasons post-2021. A landmark project during this era was the renovation and 65,000-square-foot expansion of Powell Symphony Hall, funded by a $173 million campaign and designed by Snøhetta. occurred in 2023, with the venue reopening in September 2025 as the Music Center, featuring upgraded auditoriums, new lobbies, educational facilities, and rehearsal spaces to mark the hall's centennial. In September 2025, musicians approved a four-year with annual wage increases, including a $10,000 addition to base pay.

Venue and Facilities

Powell Symphony Hall

Powell Symphony Hall, situated at 718 North Grand Boulevard in 's Grand Center Arts District, has been the permanent home of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra since 1968. Originally erected in 1925 as the St. Louis Theatre by architects Rapp and Rapp, the venue initially hosted acts and motion pictures, with its last film screening being The Sound of Music. The St. Louis Symphony Society acquired the property in 1966, facilitated by a $500,000 donation from Oscar Johnson, Jr., and invested $2 million in renovations led by the firm Wedemeyer, Cernik & Corrubia, incorporating acoustical expertise from Dr. Cyril Harris to suit symphonic performances. Renamed Powell Hall in recognition of Walter S. Powell through a $1 million trust established by his widow, Helen Lamb Powell, the concert hall officially opened on January 24, 1968, accommodating 2,683 seats. Architectural highlights include the Wightman Grand Foyer, inspired by the at Versailles, and a stained-glass window portraying . The hall's acoustics garnered acclaim shortly after opening, with violinist Isaac Stern likening its rich, full sound to that of Carnegie Hall in New York and Symphony Hall in Boston. In May 2001, Powell Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, preserving its status as a landmark of European-inspired elegance amid mid-20th-century adaptations. A comprehensive $140 million expansion and renovation, integrated into the Jack C. Taylor Music Center, concluded in September 2025 under the design leadership of Snøhetta, with Christner Architects serving as the firm of record. This project added a 64,000-square-foot extension, reduced seating to 2,150 for enhanced aisles, legroom, and sightlines, and introduced facilities such as an Education and Learning Center for rehearsals and community programs, upgraded backstage amenities, a revitalized lobby featuring textile artwork by Sheila Hicks, and a dedicated quiet space for patrons with sensory sensitivities. Acoustic refinements included advancing the rear wall and installing reflecting surfaces to amplify vibrancy on the main floor while retaining the venue's characteristic warmth.

Musical Leadership

Music Directors

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra has been led by 14 principal music directors since its founding in , with tenures ranging from short transitional periods to extended that shaped its , size, and reputation. These directors oversaw expansions in orchestra membership, concert programming, and institutional stability, often navigating financial and artistic challenges.
Music DirectorTenureNotable Contributions
Joseph Otten1880–1894Founding conductor; established the orchestra as the St. Louis Choral-Symphony Society with initial choral-symphonic focus.
Alfred Ernst1894–1907Doubled annual concerts to 12; expanded ensemble to 55 musicians.
Max Zach1907–1921Implemented regular musician pay; increased classical programs to 15–20 per season.
Rudolph Ganz1921–1927Promoted contemporary compositions; emphasized youth and educational concerts.
Golschmann1931–1958Longest tenure of 27 years; introduced French-influenced precision, elevating the to national prominence.
Eduard van Remoortel1958–1962Improved technical standards amid internal disputes and administrative tensions.
Eleazar de Carvalho1963–1968Grew to over 90 members; facilitated relocation to Powell Symphony Hall.
Walter Susskind1968–1975Refined ensemble quality; initiated summer festival programming.
Jerzy Semkow1975–1979Established the St. Louis Symphony Chorus; launched the Queeny Pops outdoor series.
1979–1996Emphasized American contemporary works as conductor laureate; oversaw recordings and Grammy nominations.
Hans Vonk1996–2002Conducted six seasons with transatlantic focus, maintaining European touring ties.
David Robertson2005–201813-season leadership; secured Grammy Award for John Adams's City Noir in 2014.
Stéphane Denève2019–presentCurrent director; began tenure September 4, 2019, with contract extended through 2025–2026 season, emphasizing community engagement and core repertoire.
Richard Hayman served as principal pops conductor from 1976 to 2014, directing lighter programs at Powell Hall and Queeny Park without principal music director duties. Gaps in leadership, such as 1927–1931, reflected economic disruptions including the .

Associated Ensembles and Programs

St. Louis Symphony Chorus

The St. Louis Symphony Chorus, founded in the 1976/1977 season by then-Music Director Jerzy Semkow, serves as an auditioned ensemble of primarily volunteer singers from the region, functioning as an equal partner to the orchestra in performing choral-orchestral repertoire. Composed of singers of all ages and varied musical backgrounds, with a core of paid professionals, the chorus rehearses weekly and collaborates on major works requiring vocal forces. Leadership of the chorus has transitioned across directors aligned with the orchestra's artistic vision. Thomas Peck directed the ensemble from its inception in 1976 until 1994, establishing its foundational sound. Amy Kaiser succeeded him, serving from 1995 to 2022 and overseeing expansions in and visibility. Erin Freeman assumed the role in 2024, continuing the tradition of high-level preparation for symphonic choral performances. The chorus regularly performs staple choral-orchestral masterpieces with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra at Powell Symphony Hall, including Handel's Messiah, Carl Orff's Carmina Burana, Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 2 (""), and Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. It has also presented concert versions of operas such as Beethoven's and Giuseppe Verdi's , and participated in 11 programs at . Beyond orchestral collaborations, the ensemble sang the at the . Recordings featuring the chorus number 12 commercially released titles, with Sergei Prokofiev's earning a Grammy Award nomination for Best Choral Performance. A 2011 performance of was broadcast on , highlighting the ensemble's blend with the orchestra under conductor David Robertson. Auditions for new members occur periodically, emphasizing , tonal accuracy, and blend to maintain artistic standards.

St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra

The St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra (SLSYO) is an auditioned ensemble comprising over 100 accomplished young musicians aged 12 to 22, drawn from the region and a 150-mile radius. Founded in 1970 by , then assistant conductor of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the SLSYO serves as a preeminent training program, offering participants the opportunity to perform expert-level orchestral repertoire under professional guidance. Membership requires annual competitive auditions, including an online application and non-refundable fee submitted by late , with eligibility limited to those enrolled in applicable school music programs and meeting the age criteria as of September 1 of the season. The orchestra rehearses regularly and presents three public concerts per season, featuring advanced works coached by St. Louis Symphony Orchestra musicians and supported by peer-to-peer mentorship programs. Since 2024, the ensemble has been directed by Samuel Hollister, appointed as Fred M. Saigh Youth Orchestra Music Director, with guest conductors occasionally leading performances, such as Passmore for the 2023–2024 season finale on April 20, 2024. The SLSYO emphasizes , fostering skills through collaboration with world-class artists and exposure to repertoire that challenges participants' technical and interpretive abilities. Over its history, the SLSYO has produced more than 2,000 , many of whom have pursued careers in music, contributing to its reputation for superb artistry recognized nationally. The program marked its 50th anniversary in 2020, highlighting its enduring impact on regional without documented international tours or commercial recordings specific to the youth ensemble.

Artistic Achievements and Repertoire

Awards and Honors

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra has earned nine from 60 nominations, primarily recognizing its recordings under various music directors. Notable wins include the 1985 Grammy for Best Classical Album for Sergei Prokofiev's Symphony No. 5, conducted by . In 2015, the orchestra received the Grammy for Best Orchestral Performance for John Adams's City Noir, conducted by David Robertson. The SLSO has also been recognized by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) for programming . In 2009, under David Robertson, it received an ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, one of 26 U.S. orchestras honored that year for innovative selections. It placed second in its category for the 2013–2014 season. Additionally, the orchestra won the Eddy Award, the Dutch equivalent of a Grammy, for an eight-CD set of live recordings conducted by Hans Vonk. These honors reflect the SLSO's contributions to orchestral recordings and promotion of modern works, though detailed lists of all Grammy recipients remain tied to specific eras like Slatkin's tenure, which accounted for numerous nominations.

Notable Recordings and Performances

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra has released over 100 recordings since the 1930s, beginning with sessions for RCA Victor Red Seal under Vladimir Golschmann, and these efforts have yielded nine alongside 60 nominations. In the 1980s, under music director , RCA Red Seal issued a landmark commitment of 30 discs—the largest for any orchestra at the time—encompassing works by American composers such as and William Schuman. Hans Vonk's live recordings in the and earned the Dutch Eddy Award, equivalent to a Grammy in the . Among its Grammy-winning recordings, the orchestra received Best Classical Orchestral Recording in 1985 for Sergei Prokofiev's Symphony No. 5, conducted by Slatkin. Another highlight came in 2015 with Best Orchestral Performance for ' City Noir, led by David Robertson, which was the ensemble's seventh such honor at that point. Recent releases include a 2024 album featuring Leonard Bernstein's Serenade (after Plato's Symposium) with violinist and a 2025 collection of world premiere recordings of Kevin Puts' Concerto for Orchestra, Silent Night Elegy, and Virelai (after ), conducted by Stéphane Denève. In live performances, the orchestra made its debut at on December 10, 1950, and has returned regularly, including a 2012 presentation of ' The Gospel According to the Other Mary as part of celebrations for the composer's 70th birthday. The ensemble has commissioned and premiered works by contemporary American composers, such as Adams and Puts, emphasizing a repertoire that balances standard symphonic with new music.

Organizational Challenges and Controversies

Financial Difficulties

In the early , the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra faced severe financial distress that brought it to the brink of around 2001, prompting emergency measures including budget cuts and a campaign that raised nearly $30 million to retire , alongside reductions and contract adjustments from 52 to 42 weeks. These steps stabilized operations by 2002 but highlighted structural vulnerabilities common to U.S. orchestras, where earned revenue often falls short of expenses, necessitating reliance on endowments and . A 2005 labor lasting six weeks exacerbated losses exceeding $700,000, compounding ongoing budget pressures amid broader industry deficits affecting nearly 90% of American orchestras at the time. The work stoppage, tied to contract disputes over , underscored how labor tensions could amplify financial strain, though the orchestra avoided immediate collapse through cost savings on salaries during the period. The inflicted acute damage starting in March 2020, with the cancellation of live performances leading to a $3.2 million shortfall in earned for 2020, despite a balanced overall sustained by increased philanthropic contributions. This prompted further concessions, including a $3.75 million reduction in musician compensation through temporary pay cuts—40% base salary reductions from September 2020 onward—and the suspension of spring 2021 performances, as the orchestra grappled with venue restrictions and audience limitations. Recovery efforts post-pandemic shifted toward diversified , yielding operating surpluses in 2017–2019, though a minor $60,000 loss persisted in 2023 amid lingering challenges.

Labor Disputes

In January 2005, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra experienced a major work stoppage when its musicians rejected management's final offer by an 85-to-3 vote, halting performances starting January 3 and canceling concerts for eight weeks. The dispute arose from management's push for salary concessions amid rising costs and stagnant ticket revenues, seeking to reduce the base weekly pay from $1,742 (equivalent to $73,180 annually under the expired for a 42-week season) and shorten the season, while musicians demanded protections against and maintained service levels. The musicians' union, affiliated with the and ICSOM, initiated the action as an strike, alleging bad-faith bargaining by management, but the ruled it an illegal economic strike on February 24, 2005, citing failure to provide proper 10-day notice under federal law. Management countered by implementing a lockout, framing the stoppage as necessary to address structural deficits exceeding $1 million annually, though union representatives disputed the severity of the financial claims and highlighted the orchestra's recent Grammy nominations as evidence of artistic viability. The conflict drew national attention, including solidarity efforts from other orchestras, but resulted in no permanent resolution to underlying pension and healthcare cost-sharing tensions. Musicians returned to rehearsals and concerts on March 3, 2005, after ratifying a new that included modest pay adjustments, increased management contributions to health benefits, and preserved most service weeks, though it incorporated some concessions on flexibility for guest conductors. Subsequent negotiations have avoided work stoppages; for instance, 2019 bargaining addressed whether music librarians qualified for inclusion in the unit, with management successfully arguing their supervisory roles excluded them, averting escalation. In 2025, musicians ratified a four-year effective –2030 without disruption, securing an immediate $10,000 base salary increase to $118,036, followed by annual raises up to 3.5%, alongside pension enhancements and work-rule updates. In 1998, violinist Louis Kampouris filed a lawsuit against the St. Louis Symphony Society, alleging age and disability discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Kampouris, who had joined the orchestra in 1949 and was over 70 years old at the time, claimed that after sustaining a hand injury in December 1994—leading his physician to advise against playing the violin—the orchestra perceived him as disabled and discriminated against him by placing him on indefinite unpaid leave without reasonable accommodation. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri granted summary judgment to the symphony in 1999, ruling that Kampouris failed to demonstrate the orchestra regarded him as disabled or that age was a motivating factor in the decision, as the leave stemmed from his inability to perform essential job functions rather than discriminatory animus. This decision was affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in 2000, which found insufficient evidence to support the claims. The orchestra has faced criticism for historical hiring practices perceived as exclusionary toward African-American musicians. During the tenures of music directors Walter Susskind (1958–1968) and Jerzy Semkow (1968–1971), SLSO bassist Russell V. Brodine reported an apparent institutional reluctance to hire any Black artists, contributing to broader patterns of underrepresentation in major U.S. orchestras. Such practices, while not subject to specific litigation against SLSO, have been cited in scholarly analyses as examples of how racial biases operated subtly in the field, often justified under the guise of maintaining artistic standards amid a historically white-dominated ecosystem. These critiques highlight systemic challenges in diversifying personnel, though SLSO has since adopted blind auditions to mitigate potential biases in selection processes, a credited across the industry with increasing female representation but less conclusively addressing racial disparities.

References

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